Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“I know, Dad. Please… I just need you to trust me when I say it’s over. I promise.”
Haven shrugged. “So what happens next?”
I didn’t hesitate in responding, “She’s coming home with me.”
“Wait?” Haven paused. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Why would she come home with you?”
I could see it in her eyes. Everything Cove said about my sister and us being together was right. Haven wanted this between Cove and me. It was written all over her face.
I gave her the only honesty I could, replying, “I’m in love with Cove.”
Cove
Did I just imagine Jace saying he loved me?
No. My eyes were open.
Was I hallucinating?
As if he felt me from across the room, Jace’s stare connected with mine.
He smiled before exclaiming, “She’s awake.”
Haven immediately turned around, hauling ass over to me. She carefully grabbed my hand and kissed it.
“I’m so happy to see you, Cove.”
The beeping sound of the heart monitor shifted my attention to the machines on the left side of my body. The rhythmic hissing sound of the ventilator echoed all around me.
I immediately felt panicked, but my mouth was too dry to talk. Jace quickly walked out of the room, and I almost fell into a fit of tears that he was suddenly gone.
What’s going on? Why am I in the hospital?
Haven must have read my rattled expression. “You’re okay,” she insisted, gripping my hand a little harder.
Seconds later, a nurse hurried into the room with Jace behind her. The instant relief I felt that he was back in my space comforted me and lessened the shock of waking up in a hospital room with machines hooked up to my body.
“Welcome back, Cove,” she greeted with a gentle smile.
She shined lights in my eyes, took my vitals, and grabbed me a cup of ice water with a straw to wet my throat so I could speak. After she began asking me question after question of what I remembered or what I didn’t, and how I felt, she ended her protocols and finally left me alone with my family and Jace. It felt like she went on forever.
Haven grabbed my hand again. “I was so worried I’d never see you again.”
“I was with your brother. I was always safe.”
“Yeah… that’s what he said.”
I wanted to talk to Jace, but I knew Haven was dying to hear everything. I didn’t want to send him away. However, my best friend was just as important to me.
“Can you guys give us a minute?”
“I’m glad you’re okay, Cove.” Her dad kissed my head. “You gave us quite a scare.”
“Thank you, Mr. Beckham.”
He lovingly smiled at me, whispering in my ear, “I have a feeling you’re not going to be calling me that very soon.”
We looked at each other for a moment. I guess that was his blessing...
Once they were gone, she shut the door behind them.
Haven instantly ordered, “Spill. Everything.”
For the next twenty minutes, I caught her up on all of what happened between us.
“Oh my God! You gave your virginity to Jace!”
“Shhh!”
Her hands flew to her mouth. “I knew it!”
“Haven, they’re going to hear you.”
“I told you. I freaking knew it.”
“Yeah, you did. You’re a psychic.”
“There was way too much passion between the two of you when he carried you out of the bar and then he started calling you bunny. It was so obvious you two were into one another.”
I shrugged, confessing, “I’ve actually had a crush on him since I was eight.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“I know… don’t be mad. I should have told you, but back then, I thought you’d be upset, and he was twenty years older than me so nothing could ever come of it when I was that young. Things are different now.”
She shook her head, smiling. “I can’t believe it. This is just crazy but amazing at the same time.”
“You’re not mad?”
“I mean, I’m upset you never told me any of this.” She smirked. “But I’m way too excited not to forgive you.”
“Gee, thanks.”
She squealed. “Do you think you’ll get married?”
“I think you’re jumping way ahead. I can barely get him to say he likes me.”
“Well, he just told us he loves you and you’re going home with him.”
My eyes widened. “I didn’t imagine that?”
She beamed, standing from the chair she was sitting on beside my bed. “I’m going to start planning your wedding, so you need to get better.”
“Haven—”
“What? He’s pushing forty. He’s not getting any younger.”
My heart fluttered.
“Maybe we can get pregnant at the same time!”
“You need to slow your roll. Besides, I thought you wanted to finish college before you got married and knocked up?”
“Interesting.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You mention me and not yourself?”
I blushed.
“Ahhh! We’re going to be sisters!”
“Haven, stop screaming.”
“I can’t help it. I’m too excited.”
“You’re jumping way ahead of yourself.”
“Again, you’re a spring chicken. Jace is going to want to lock you down. He’s always been very possessive of his things, and you won’t be any different.”